How Does God's Spirit Operate Today?

"The Spirit of the Truth"

One operation of God's holy spirit is to inform, to illuminate,to reveal truths.  Shortly before his death, Jesus told his disciples:  "I have many things yet to say to you, but you are  not able to bear them at present.  However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth." -John 16:12, 13

"The spirit of the truth" was poured out at Pentecost 33 C.E. when about 120 disciples who gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem were baptized with holy spirit.  (Acts 2:1-4)  The apostle Peter was among those present for that annual festival.  Filled with holy spirit, Peter "stood up" and amplified, or clarified, certain truths about Jesus.  He recounted, for example,  how "Jesus of Nazarene"  was "exalted to the right hand of God."  (Acts 2:14, 22, 33)  God's spirit also moved Peter to declare boldly  to his Jewish listeners:  "Let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you impaled."  (Acts 2:36)  As a result of Peter's  spirit-inspired message, about three thousand persons "embraced his word heartily" and got baptized.  In this way, God's holy spirit helped to guide them into the truth. -Acts 2:37-41.

God's holy spirit also served as  a teacher and remembrancer.  Jesus said: "The helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you." -John 14:26.

Next time: Continue with "The Spirit of the Truth"

Watchtower, 2000